as in monarchs
one who rules over a people with a sole, supreme, and usually hereditary authority
the aging ruler agonized over the choice of an heir
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Recent Examples of rulers
The people disembarked the out-of-service Baathist train and are waiting for the trains the new rulers promised them.
—
Literary Hub, 15 Jan. 2026
The satellite service has expanded rapidly in recent years, securing licenses in more than 120 countries, including some with authoritarian rulers who have persecuted journalists and protesters.
—David Rising, Los Angeles Times, 14 Jan. 2026
Below is a look at the acts with the most rulers since the Regional Mexican Airplay chart launched in 1994.
—Pamela Bustios, Billboard, 13 Jan. 2026
Neither Saudi nor the UAE has a free press, and both enforce strict laws governing social media posts that are deemed to threaten national security or defame their rulers.
—Mohammed Sergie, semafor.com, 9 Jan. 2026
The latest execution comes as Iran's hardline Islamic clerical rulers face the most significant domestic unrest seen in the country in several years.
—Emmet Lyons, CBS News, 7 Jan. 2026
Taken together, Rubio’s remarks offer the clearest public picture yet of how Washington intends to use oil, sanctions and political incentives not just to pressure Venezuela’s rulers, but to actively manage the country’s path out of crisis.
—Antonio María Delgado, Miami Herald, 7 Jan. 2026
How many rulers can fit in one sentence?
—Jason P. Frank, Vulture, 6 Jan. 2026
The State Department’s Persian-language account, @USABehFarsi, appeared to issue a stark warning to Iran’s totalitarian rulers.
—Benjamin Weinthal, FOXNews.com, 6 Jan. 2026
Literary Hub, 15 Jan. 2026
The satellite service has expanded rapidly in recent years, securing licenses in more than 120 countries, including some with authoritarian rulers who have persecuted journalists and protesters.
—David Rising, Los Angeles Times, 14 Jan. 2026
Below is a look at the acts with the most rulers since the Regional Mexican Airplay chart launched in 1994.
—Pamela Bustios, Billboard, 13 Jan. 2026
Neither Saudi nor the UAE has a free press, and both enforce strict laws governing social media posts that are deemed to threaten national security or defame their rulers.
—Mohammed Sergie, semafor.com, 9 Jan. 2026
The latest execution comes as Iran's hardline Islamic clerical rulers face the most significant domestic unrest seen in the country in several years.
—Emmet Lyons, CBS News, 7 Jan. 2026
Taken together, Rubio’s remarks offer the clearest public picture yet of how Washington intends to use oil, sanctions and political incentives not just to pressure Venezuela’s rulers, but to actively manage the country’s path out of crisis.
—Antonio María Delgado, Miami Herald, 7 Jan. 2026
How many rulers can fit in one sentence?
—Jason P. Frank, Vulture, 6 Jan. 2026
The State Department’s Persian-language account, @USABehFarsi, appeared to issue a stark warning to Iran’s totalitarian rulers.
—Benjamin Weinthal, FOXNews.com, 6 Jan. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for rulers
Noun
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Basically, the plant emits toxins that may help monarchs fend off the parasite, but something about heat disrupts this delicate balance.—
AJ Willingham,
AJC.com,
13 Jan. 2026
-
Foreign monarchs, presidents or prime ministers of other countries visit King Charles during inward trips, while the British royals also travel abroad at the invitation of other nations for outward visits.—
Janine Henni,
PEOPLE,
13 Jan. 2026
Noun
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Though he’s used to being invited to VIP gatherings — from fashion shows to meetings with presidents and kings — this seemed outside his wheelhouse.—
Nick Vivarelli,
Variety,
8 Jan. 2026
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He's known for reshaping the Scottish government, expanding royal authority and being one of the few Scottish kings to be canonized by the Catholic Church.—
Andrea Margolis,
FOXNews.com,
8 Jan. 2026
Noun
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Known for its perfectly fitting stone bricks, the site was built in the 15th century by the Incas and served as a sanctuary for the nation’s emperors.—
CNN Money,
CNN Money,
31 Dec. 2025
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For young emperors of ice cream, there’s a jump rope that has ice-cream-cone handles ($12) and a pencil sharpener shaped like an ice-cream truck ($24).—
Jessica Winter,
New Yorker,
15 Nov. 2025
Noun
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And the reason for that is that the default data and the default experience does not coincide with the ratings that the ratings agencies attribute to African sovereigns.—
Harvard Business Review,
Harvard Business Review,
13 Nov. 2025
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Sophie, the Duchess of Edinburgh, has similarly dropped into deep curtsies when meeting other sovereigns on trips abroad.—
Janine Henni,
PEOPLE,
17 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Rulers.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/rulers. Accessed 19 Jan. 2026.
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